Bipartisan Bills to Take on Deadly Drive-By Shootings

Dangerous drive-by shooting incidents would face stiffer penalties under legislation introduced this week by Sens. Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion), and a bipartisan group of lawmakers. The measures come at the request of law enforcement who are working to prevent the increased occurrence of innocent families and children falling victim to violent crimes in many communities across the state.

“We must work together to ensure safer communities if we want to secure an economic turnaround and the opportunity for investment and jobs,” said Ananich. “These measures are part of the strong, comprehensive approach to public safety that is needed to get results.”

Senate Bills 582 and 583 would increase the penalties for drive-by shootings by authorizing life sentences to anyone convicted of intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle into a home, in the event that the victim is murdered. The bills also authorize an increase in the maximum years of imprisonment and fines associated with the crime if there was intent to harm and/or the person is injured. They are expected to be taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee as early as next week.

“The broad support from both sides of the aisle shows that this is an urgent problem and one we can take action on,” said Marleau. “Our brave men and women in law enforcement should have the strongest tools available to keep people out of harm’s way, and these bills are an important piece of that effort.”